“That’s when he smacked my ass, and I knew he wasn’t the one,” Rubi laughed. “I need to be the one doing the spanking.”
Laughter filled the dressing room as Rubi told us girls about the university guy she’d been seeing. We were gathered in the dressing room upstairs at The Spirit Room, getting ready to perform. The coffee table was littered with glasses, bottles, and shooters. After spending the last few days holed up in my apartment hiding from the world, working on web design, and pretending I had a normal life, it was nice to be back here with my band.
“My, my, Rubi. I didn’t know you were such a freak in the sack. I’m sure there are plenty of guys downstairs who would love to get a spanking from you.” With a snicker, Jett tossed back a shot glass filled with tequila and sucked a wedge of lime into her mouth.
“I’m not really into that whole spanking, tying each other up stuff,” Tash said, dragging a comb through her long, vibrant red hair. “I don’t see the appeal.”
Jett scoffed. “Just a little ass play, right, Tash? Sounds like you just need a good hair pulling and a few slaps on the ass. Doesn’t Mr. Country get rough with you every now and then? That shit is hot. You’re missing out.”
“Come on, Spike, back me up. You and Rowen don’t go in for the kinky stuff, do you?” Tash asked, causing each girl to look my way.
I almost spat the mouthful of screwdriver I’d sipped. “I don’t think we’ve reached that point in our relationship.”
“Prude,” Jett said, tucking a joint between her burgundy lips.
“What can I say?” I shrugged. “I’m a good girl.”
Tossing her head of purple hair, Jett cackled. “Sure you are. You’re a liar too.”
I shoved out of my chair and went to the mirror to finger comb my hair. It fell about my shoulders in long, loose waves. Black and silver eye shadow paired with my favorite red lipstick completed my look.
The worst of the remaining bruises on my face were hidden by cover up. Six-inch leather boots, tight black jeans and a black top with a sheer back that showed off the wings tattooed on my back comprised my outfit. A spiked bracelet adorned one wrist, a leather cuff on the other.
All I wanted was to get on stage and unleash the pent up emotion that had been building in me for the past few nights. At Cinder’s insistence Rowen had promised to hold off on making any snap decisions or sudden moves. It wasn’t easy for him. When we were apart I found myself calling and texting just to make sure he hadn’t done anything reckless.
“We have a meeting with Joe on Monday.” Jett took a pull off the joint before passing it to me. “Guess we’ll find out whose recording he likes better.”
I stared at the spliff in my hand for a moment before passing it to Rubi. I didn’t want to mellow out. Not tonight. I needed to feel the vitriol and angst that Dash had planted within me, if for no other reason than to help me purge it on stage.
“I don’t even care anymore,” I said. Letting out an angry huff of air, I grabbed my drink and finished it in two swallows. “I’m ready to let Arrow have it. He wants it so damn bad, he must have a reason.”
“Yes,” Jett said slowly, dragging that word out as she tapped a long fingernail on the table. “I wonder what exactly that reason might be.”
I shot her a dark glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She grinned, flashing perfect white teeth. “Oh nothing. Nothing at all.”
The bass from downstairs pounded through the floor as Sacred Stone began their set. Ever since the Battle of the Bands event, their band, along with ours and Molly’s Chamber, had been launched to new levels of popularity in the city. Thanks to the world wide web, we were starting to see an increase in hits on our site and social media as well. Sharing the local spotlight with guys like Paul Webber and his buddies left a sour taste in my mouth, but if it came with the territory, then so be it. All things considered, as a rock musician I felt proud of all of us.
“So, Spike, I hate to bring down the mood here, but I need to ask you about something weird I found on my phone.” Grasping the music note pendant hanging from a chain around her neck, Tash slid it back and forth on the chain in a nervous gesture.
I knew where this was going. “The photo of you sleeping that was sent to my phone? Yeah, I saw it. I’m so sorry, Tash. I never thought you guys would get caught up in all this.”
“I just have to know, should we be afraid for our safety?” Tash motioned to Rubi and then herself. “I know there’s a lot of shit you and Jett can’t always share with us, but if we’re in some kind of danger, we need to know.”
Jett flopped back against the couch cushions, blowing purple bangs out of her eyes. Concern marred Rubi’s face, turning her smile into a frown. I exchanged a look with Jett, who shrugged, leaving it up to me to decide what to tell them.
“You know I love you all like the sisters I never had,” I started, feeling my way through. “That photo was sent by someone who wanted me to know he could access any of you at any time. It was a threat meant to unsettle me, and it worked. I’ve already had a ward put on your homes to keep it from happening again. I promise you, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Tash considered this, accepting it with a nod.
First chance I got after the insanity from a few nights ago I’d asked Cinder to ward their houses. A ward wasn’t much, but it was a start. However, keeping Dash away would take something more. I just wished I knew what that was.
The anguish I’d been holding inside bubbled up to flood me with a sea of despair. Dash was willing to hurt those I cared about to keep me from being with Rowen, to get me out of the way. I was torn, caught between protecting my best friends or the love of my life. How could I fight evil when either choice threatened someone I loved?
“Don’t worry your pretty red head, Tash. Spike’s a serious badass. She’ll take care of things.” In an attempt to lighten the mood, Jett passed out a shot glass to each of us. “Now, in the meantime, let’s go rock this city’s face off. I hear there’s a multi-band summer tour in the works, and we belong on it.”
Jett’s contagious enthusiasm made the girls join in, sharing her eagerness, chattering excitedly about what being on such a tour could do for us. I wanted to be excited too, but Dash’s threats weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my friends because of me.
Knowing that made it much easier to understand Rowen’s current internal battle. The choices we faced left us screwed either way. Perhaps the solution should have been obvious, but it wasn’t.
By the time we headed downstairs to set up our gear, I’d sunken so far into a place of anger and unrest that I struggled to hide my feelings. With a few drinks in my system, I was leaning more toward wrath than misery. Dash could only have power over me, and my friends, if I allowed it. As I tuned my guitar, I repeated that to myself.
A quick scan of the nightclub revealed that Rowen and Arrow had yet to arrive. They were playing after us. Greyson and Sam worked the crowd, the latter ensuring Jett saw him blow her a kiss.
“One of these days I’m going to fuck that boy senseless so he finally accepts that he can’t handle me.”
“If I point out that you’re blushing, are you going to slap me?” I braced for the slap as the question left my lips.
In true Jett fashion she twisted one of the pegs on my guitar before I could fend her off. “I do not blush. And you need to lighten up. You’ve been in a mood all night. You think you’re hiding it, but I know you.”
I picked through the strings, ensuring each one sounded just right before moving on to the next. “I’m worried and I can’t shake it. No matter what I do, someone will get hurt.”
“What does Cinder tell you in times like this?”
“To take it one day at a time.”
“Then there you go.” She gave me an approving slap on the ass. “Leave your worries behind and pour your heart on the stage. Come on; let’s grab a drink before we play.”
We left Tash and Rubi to finish with their gear and weaved our way through the growing crowd toward the bar.
Koda made no attempt to hide his presence. He leaned against the far wall near the emergency exit where he could survey the entire building. Dressed all in black, he blended in with the rock crowd. Our eyes met across the distance. He gave a slight nod, and I jerked my gaze away, refusing to acknowledge him further. Getting pissed off about his constant stalking would only encourage it. And right now, Koda wasn’t my biggest concern, though after the shit he pulled in my lobby, he was definitely on my radar.
I’d almost made it to the bar when I noticed Jett was no longer with me. After a quick glance around, I found her at Sam and Greyson’s table, leaning over Sam to give him an eyeful of cleavage. Alexa, the owner of The Wicked Kiss, stalked away from the table, moving with a stealth and grace only the undead possessed. She looked pissed.
“What was that all about?” I asked as I joined Jett at the guys’ table, jerking my thumb to where the blonde disappeared through the exit.
“She was looking for Arrow,” Sam said, his eyes barely straying from Jett’s ample bosom. “She’s had a beef with him since her friend ODed on some of his shit. Should’ve been here the night she came in and threw him up against that pillar there. That was great.”
Sam laughed as he retold the story, but I was only half listening. Jez had ODed on stuff she’d bought from Arrow? I rarely saw her here. I’d had no idea that my neighbor was a user and that Arrow was her supplier. No wonder Alexa hated him. My own feelings toward him were conflicted, to say the least.
“You know, Sammy, if you don’t stop flirting with me, I might have to give you what you’re asking for.” With a sexy grin Jett redirected the conversation, having no problem keeping his attention. “And then you’ll be sorry.”
A spark of mischief in his dark eyes, Sam smiled and ran a hand through his short, brown hair. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Their flirty banter continued until Greyson and I shared an eye roll. I was about to drag Jett away when a low voice in my ear caused my stomach to drop.
“And here we have the light nephilim in her natural environment,” the voice purred. “But don’t be fooled. She’s not as squeaky clean as she appears.”
I spun on a heel to find myself staring into red eyes with silver flecks. Nova’s eyes.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I blurted, unable to hide my surprise. “I won that throwing star fair and square. So if you’re here for another round, you can forget it.”
Nova had the nerve to look offended. “I just told you, I’m here to see you in your natural environment. Can’t blame me for being curious about you after the fight you put up the other night.”
His appearance was drastically different from the night at the Black Market. Other than the red eyes, he looked wholly human. His long, black hair was sleek and shiny. Gone was the warrior-style robe. In a leather jacket, t-shirt, and jeans he was as human as anyone else here. Except he wasn’t. When I studied him carefully, the way Cinder had taught me, I was able to see the horns, wings, and tail I knew he had. Now that I knew how to see a demon’s real appearance, I was afraid of doing it. I imagined there were many things I’d rather not see.
“I already have one demon stalker, and I’m really not too keen on having another.” I wasn’t afraid, mostly because such a public place offered some safety. However it would be foolish not to be wary.
Nova’s gaze strayed across the room to where Koda stood. I risked a quick peek to find Koda shoving angrily through people as he came right for us.
“It seems that I’ve upset your stalker,” Nova snickered. There was no fear in him. In fact, he looked delighted.
“You know I come here to get away from demon bullshit. If you have something to say to me, find another way. And if you just want to be a creep, then don’t bother. As you can see, I’ve already got one.”
Nova’s grin met my scowl. He cocked his head to one side and studied me, his gaze traveling over my attire. “Well, you are the keeper of the Midnight Star. Unwanted attention comes with the territory. It’s not usually a woman so I imagine that really piques the curiosity.”
“Is that what piques yours?” I dared to ask, leery of peering into those incubus eyes for too long. Koda would be upon us any moment. I didn’t plan to stick around.
“Somewhat. Although it was the way you managed to kick my ass that really got me intrigued. You’ve got the fire, little thief. And I don’t just mean the element.” Nova’s cool appraisal rivaled the heat in his stare.
I took a few steps back, needing some distance between us.
Then Koda burst between us, shoving me even farther away from the incubus. Ignoring my protest, he rounded on Nova. “What the fuck are you doing?” Koda snarled, fists clenched. “You have no business here.”
Nova turned that same appraising gaze on Koda, sizing him up before laughing right in his face. “What’s wrong, Koda? Afraid I’ll seduce Ember away from you? I suppose I do have the advantage.”
“Having to mind fuck someone to seduce them isn’t really an advantage.” Koda turned to me as if he expected some kind of gratitude for coming to my rescue. “Want me to get rid of him, Spike?”
Disgusting. The entire scenario sickened me. Bitter loathing for the pathetic creature washed over me. I tried to stuff it back down inside me, knowing how easily awful feelings multiplied.
“I’d like to see you try,” I said with a smirk. “But mostly, I just want you to leave me alone. If you want to protect me from something, Koda, start with yourself.” Without so much as another glance at either of them I walked away.
Nova’s laughter followed.
Blending into the line up at the bar, I watched the door, hoping Rowen would walk in. I could really use his moral support.
As I reached to pay for my order, Nova slapped some cash down on the bar. “Did you think you’d get rid of me that easily? Not a chance, sweetheart. You’re on my radar now.”
“Lucky me.” Forcing my expression to remain neutral, I swallowed the lump of unease that choked me. I didn’t want to be on any more demon radars than I already was. “So what do you want? I have a show to play in a few minutes.”
With Jett still flirting with Sam, I felt very much alone in this crowded place thanks to Nova’s intimidating presence. Koda was nowhere to be seen, but I knew he hadn’t left. An invisible demon made for the worst kind of demon.
“Mostly I just want to watch you. But as long as I’m here, I might as well take a shot in the dark and ask if you and your wolf friend would care to do a little side work. Possibly some ass kicking. For hire, of course.” With a raised brow and a sly half smile, Nova waited for my reaction.
I took a few gulps of my drink and studied him. Was he serious? “Is this a joke? Why the hell would we want to work for you?”
“Why not? You both seem to enjoy a good fight. You have a talent far more rare than you may realize. Your father was a thief too.” Nova let that hang between us. He exuded mischief like an aroma.
“If you said that to get a reaction out of me, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. There’s nothing you can say that would make me, a white lighter, want to work for you, a friggin’ demon. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.” I shoved by him, feeling frustrated and wanting nothing more than to be on stage where I could make my guitar scream.
Nova’s next words stopped me in my tracks. “Not even if it solves your Dash problem? Help me get what I want, and I’ll take care of it for you. Then we both win.”
Just how much did Nova know about me? “Looks like you’ve been doing your homework. Obviously you know that Dash and I aren’t exactly each other’s biggest fans. That doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to fall for your scam. I’m not doing your dirty work for you.”
“Not even if it means saving your boyfriend?” Nova’s taunt dangled in the air. His expression had gone cold.
My mind screamed that it was a trap. Demons knew exactly what someone wanted to hear. They were good at what they did. As much as I wanted to think that maybe Nova knew something that could help me stop Dash from claiming Rowen, I knew it was a lie. It had to be.
“Why do you need me? Isn’t this something you can take care of yourself?” Asking questions was stupid. It only encouraged him. Dammit.
“It should be, but it isn’t. I need you, sweet flame, because the location of the item I seek is known by Cinder. Find out where it is, help me take it from whoever has it, and not only will I throw a wrench in Dash’s plans on your behalf, but I’ll be your new best friend. At your beck and call.” A quirk of his brow, a smile that dripped charm, Nova was so damn sure he had me.
Nova was good. He knew how to slip just enough of his incubus charm into a smile or a look to get inside someone’s head. However, I knew he was doing it. Everything he said sounded as tempting as he wanted it to.
“This isn’t my first circus, Nova, and you’re not my first demon,” I said, spying Jett’s purple head in the crowd as she searched for me. “If Cinder isn’t sharing information, then I trust that there’s a good reason for that.”
Again I turned to go but Nova grabbed my arm. His grip tightened enough to squeeze a squeak of pain from me.
My gaze dropped pointedly to my arm where Nova’s hand held tight. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
“There are many who would pay a fine price to get their hands on this gem I seek. It’s in high demand. Whoever finds it will have demons fighting one another for a chance to claim it. Don’t be so quick to discount what this could do for you.” Having dropped his seductive charm, Nova’s expression had turned downright nasty.
I scoffed, refusing to show fear even though I was seconds away from sheer panic. “Let go of me, Nova. I have nothing more to say to you.”
His grip didn’t loosen, and for a moment I was sure he would get violent. Then his charming smile fluttered back into place, and he released me. “Just think about it,” he said. “All you have to do to save your boyfriend from Dash is help me find it.”
I had no intention of serving the dark by helping Nova, even if I would gain from it. It was wrong in every way to deliver some mystery object into any demon’s hands, especially if it was hidden from them. Rowen wouldn’t want me to do it. I hadn’t signed on with Cinder to serve my own selfish wants. Agreeing would be an insult to Cinder and to everything he’d done for me. I couldn’t even consider what Nova had proposed.
When I walked away this time, he let me go, but I felt his eyes on me as I made my way to the stage, stopping only to deposit my empty glass on a table filled with empties.
Hey, I’m human. Well… half. I’d be lying if I said a teeny, tiny part of me wasn’t tempted. It was. But it was wrong, and though I could never be perfect, I sure as hell wasn’t so weak willed that I’d fall for such an obviously bad deal. The repercussions for making a deal with a demon could last an eternity. Or so they say.
“What the hell is Nova doing here?” Jett was all over me the moment I reached the stage. “Damn, he’s still hot though, even without the badass horns.”
Grabbing my guitar, I slung the strap over my shoulder and pulled a pick from the mic stand. “He wants us to do a job for him. Said he’d take care of my Dash problem if I do it.”
“And? There’s a catch, right?”
“Of course. Helping a demon get his hands on a hidden object for my own selfish gain is the catch. It’s not even an option.” With a forced smile, I shrugged. “Are we ready to rock?”
Rubi sat at the drums, twirling a stick in one hand, waiting for our signal to start. At Jett’s nod she counted us in, banging the sticks together. Then, with the crash of cymbals and the cry of my guitar, we launched into the first song of our set.
The stage lights lit us up in a warm glow that would soon have us hot and sweaty, just the way we liked it. The crowd gathered around the bar broke off in chunks as people flowed toward the stage.
Nova weaved among them. He pushed through until he was close without being front and center. Having his eyes on me while I played felt oppressive. He’d gotten his answer. Now he needed to go away.
Koda stood in his usual spot, a fair distance from the stage, able to see the whole building. He looked pissed.
The vibrant blue mohawk near the entry brought a genuine smile to my face though. Rowen was alone, leaving me to wonder where Arrow went and what he could be up to.
Thoughts and emotions jumbled my mind. Questions with no answers. The stage was no place for such things. No, here I could purge the mess of my mind, leaving it all behind for as long as the music continued.
Jett’s sexy rasp drew the crowd until there were more people gathered before the stage than anywhere else in the building. A curtain of black covered my face as every note screamed from my soul through my mind and out my body, leaving me gasping for breath.
There was no better feeling on earth.